With suspense yet brewing over the alliance between the BJP and Sena, the latter releases manifesto

Underlining Shiv Sena’s brinkmanship over striking an alliance with BJP, party president Uddhav Thackeray has hinted that they may go alone in the battle for the richest civic body in India by releasing their manifesto for the BMC polls. The manifesto promises to maintain Aarey milk colony as a green zone, in opposition to Devendra Fadnavis-led state government’s plans for a car shed for the Colaba- Bandra- SEEPZ Metro railway at the site.

 

Uddhav however stressed that talks between the two saffron parties were still underway but was non-committal on a breakthrough. “How clean are those who make these allegations? Why should I reply if those who make these charges have taken mafiosi into their party and move around with them?” questioned Uddhav, while returning fire on BJP leaders who have accused Shiv Sena of nurturing a “mafia” in the municipal corporation. “I will give a fitting reply at an appropriate time,” he threatened.

 

On questions about why Shiv Sena had chosen to release its manifesto before an alliance with the BJP, Uddhav said that in case the two parties allied, the “good suggestions” given by them (BJP) would be incorporated into it. Moreover, releasing a manifesto did not mean that the alliance plans had fallen through.

 

Sena sources said they were willing to concede just around 78 to 80 seats and claimed that even if the alliance fell through, its superior network on the ground, resultant Maharashtrian vs non-Maharashtrian polarisation and the anger over demonetization could help them carry the day. They claim that a lot of water has flown under the bridge since the BJP’s rise to power in 2014.

 

Manifesto points

The manifesto or ‘vachannama’ released by the Shiv Sena promises property tax holidays for flats up to 500 sq ft and discounts for those having an area of 500 to 700 sq ft.

 

It also promises priority for students from BMC schools in jobs in the civic body and e-libraries for youth, priority for skill development in education, development of the coastal road, deployment of mini buses in congested areas and electric buses in Mumbai, free travel for school students, veterinary services and direct marketing of agri-produce